Calistoga is a small town with a big heart. If you’re looking for an idyllic setting in the Wine Country with a laid-back lifestyle and beautiful scenery, you’ve come to the right place. This tiny ingenuous town is home to world-class wineries, resorts, spas, restaurants, and more. Calistoga has everything you need—and nothing that you don’t want—in an ideal California community.
CALISTOGA IS IDYLLIC AND BEAUTIFUL AND HAS A LAID-BACK LIFESTYLE
Calistoga is an authentic small town in California’s northern Wine Country with a population of about 5,242 people. Many who live there feel as though they’ve found the perfect place to settle down and call home. The city’s diverse mix of residents have access to many of the benefits of living in larger cities without any of their drawbacks. The town has a high-functioning city government, a year-round slate of fun and engaging community activities (highlights include the annual Lighted Tractor Christmas Parade and Harvest Table), and most of what you need on a day-to-day basis can be found without leaving town: Cal Mart, a boutique grocery; Silverado Hardware, a newly expanded Ace Hardware; numerous and varied restaurants; ample parks; limited traffic. Plus, Calistoga has plenty of hiking trails nearby, such as the Oat Hill Mine Trail, so you can get outside as much as possible while still enjoying all that this beautiful town has to offer.
That’s not all: Calistoga has been recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of America’s best small towns for five years running!
IT’S AN UNPRETENTIOUS TOWN WITH A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
The town is known for its rich history and natural beauty—the mineral springs that gave it its name are still flowing today! You’ll find many things to enjoy about living in Calistoga: The rolling hillsides provide stunning views of vineyards and flower fields; the charming downtown area offers unique shops, fine dining establishments, and antique stores; the weather is moderate year-round (temperatures rarely drop below freezing or rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit)
IT IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS SPAS AND RESORTS.
You’ll also find that Calistoga is home to some beautiful spas. The town’s mud baths have been a major draw for tourists, as well as locals looking to treat themselves.
At these spas, you can enjoy a range of services, including massages and body treatments. There are also special packages available if you’re going on vacation with your significant other or family members and want a relaxing time together in Calistoga!
Calistoga has also become the luxury resort destination with the newly opened Napa Valley Four Seasons Resort and Residences joining Auberge’s Solage and the Indian Springs Resort and Spa.
THE CLIMATE IS HOT AND DRY.
The weather in Calistoga is hot and dry, with an average summer temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and an average winter temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall is minimal at only 10 inches per year.
YOU CAN ENJOY WINE TASTING IN THE CALISTOGA AREA.
You can enjoy wine tasting in the Calistoga area. The area is known for its wineries and vineyards, so it’s a great place to enjoy a glass of wine (or two) with friends and family. If you’re looking to be adventurous, you can even try some local wines from Napa or Sonoma counties!
IT’S A FOODIE HAVEN.
Calistoga is a true foodie haven. Solbar at Solage and Auro at the Four Seasons Napa Valley are two top-tier dining establishments tied to their respective resorts. Truss at the Four Seasons Napa Valley, Lovina, Evangeline, and Sam’s Social Club offer up-scale dining in more casual atmospheres. Newly opened Mangia Mi joins The Calistoga Inn & Brewery, House of Better, Fleetwood, Sushi Mombo, Pico Bar at Solage, other well-established eateries offering the ultimate casual dining experiences. There are Michelin-rated restaurants within a short drive, farm-to-table spots, vegan eateries, and everything in between. The town has a reputation for its farm-to-table fares featuring local ingredients like vinegar and oils made from the region’s grapes and olives. For more of high-end experiences, head to Thomas Keller’s French Laundry or Bouchon (both restaurants have 3 stars) or The Charter Oak in St. Helena with it’s newly received star. Or if you’re looking for something more casual but still delicious try: Brasswood Bar & Kitchen, Mustards Grill, or Brix Restaurant & Gardens.
THERE IS AN AMAZING FARMERS MARKET.
If you love fresh produce, flowers, plants, artisanal food, or other handmade items, then the Calistoga Farmers’ Market is sure to please. Located in the heart of Calistoga Village Green and open year-round, every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., this market boasts over 100 vendors selling everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to artisanal cheeses and high-end olive oils. Whether you’re buying gifts for friends or stocking up on ingredients for your next dinner party—or both—you’re sure to find something here!
THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO HIKE, CLIMB AND EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS.
Whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for some fresh air, there are plenty of places to hike and explore. If you’re into the great outdoors, check out the trails in Calistoga.
You can also visit Lake Sonoma where they offer kayaking tours through their 50 miles of shoreline! It’s also possible to rent paddle boards here as well as boats if you want something more substantial than simply floating around on an inner tube (and these can be taken out without any kind of license).
HOUSES ARE EXPENSIVE
You may have heard that houses in Calistoga are expensive. And, yes, if you look at the median home price in the area ($1.6 million), it might seem like there’s no way to get a piece of this paradise for anything less than $1 million. But not all homes are created equal, and there are plenty of great deals out there so long as you know where to look. Plus, Calistoga real estate prices are 20%+ less than all the other Napa Valley towns.
YOU CAN GET TO NAPA IN JUST A FEW MINUTES AND IT’S A SHORT TRIP TO LAKE TAHOE.
You can get to Napa or Santa Rosa with even more shopping and various Big Box stores in 20+ minutes and it’s a short trip to Lake Tahoe. If you’re flying into the Bay Area, you can be in Calistoga within 30 minutes.
Calistoga is the closest Napa Valley town to the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport where, in addition to provate jet charters, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and others fly directly to from numerous airports in the west and around the country, which means it’s easy to fly into this beautiful city. The Napa Airport is another private charter landing location within 45 minutes and both San Francisco International and Sacramento Intentional airports are within 1.5 hour car ride to Calistoga.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CALISTOGA CONTACT THE GOODRICH GROUP
If you’re interested in moving to Calistoga, but need some guidance on what steps to take, contact the Goodrich Group. We are real estate experts specializing in selling luxury homes, estates, and vineyards in Napa Valley’s ‘UpValley’ area. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients find the perfect home for their lifestyle needs.
Contact the Goodrich Group today at 415.735.8779 so we can discuss what makes this town so special!